Ditching-machine.



J. L. GRISMON. DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 12,1909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

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a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. L. URISMON. DITGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 12,1909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

3 8HBETS-SHEET 2.

VIIIIIIIIIIIVIIIIII V .IlIIfIl/IIIF IW'IIIIIII'IA J. L. ORISMON.

DITCHING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED JULY 12,1909.

Patented Dec.27,1910.

8 SHBETS-SHEET 3.

i T 67 F -1 JOHN LOUIS ORISMON, OF EAGLE, COLORADO.

DITCHING--IVIACHINE.

Patented. Dec. 27, 191d.

1909. Serial no. 507,218.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that L-Jonn LoUIs Cn'isnoN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Eagle, county of Eagle, and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Ditching-Machine, of which the following is a specification. This invention'relates to improvements in ditching machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character, con'iprising a supporting frame mounted upon wheels, and

having a plow and an-endless inclined conveyer coiiperating therewith, means beingv having a. laterally and vertically adjustable,

plow, for lormi a ditch of less width than the distance bet eon the rear supporting wheels, and vertically adjustable plows in advance of said rear wheels, which are adapted to e; :avate the earth in front of the said wheels as the ditch is deepened, conveyors being adjustably connected to the frame for receiving the earth from the plows and d )ositing it on either side of the ditch, means being provided whereby the conveyers are automatically disconnected from their operating mechanism, when the central plow is elevated above the ground level for the purpose of transporting the machine from place to place, the said machine being light and 'simple in construction, and requiring far less power in practical operation, than machines in present use.

These objects are accomplisl'ied by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view of the improved ditching machine, aportion of the platform thereon being broken away for clearer illustration. Fig. 2, is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same. Fig. 3, is-a rear view thereof. Fig. 4, is 'transverse, -vertical, sectional view on the line 4t4t of Fig. 1. Fig. 5, is a similar view on the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6, is a front elevation, showing one of the sprocket wheels which are connected with the main conveyor driving shaft, and the ratchet'whecl and pawls for operating the same. Fig. 7, is a vertical, sectional view through the same. Fig. 8, is a perspective view of the slide bar to which. the front end of the cent 'al plow is attached. Fig. 9, is a perspective view of a portion of the adj ustable guide in which the said slide bar is held. Fig. 10, is a perspective view of a slide bearing for the inclined conveyer shaft. Fig. 1.1, is a plan view of the adjustable supporting bar, upon which the rear end of the central plow is slidaioly supported,and

ably mounted. Fig. 12, is a perspective view of one of the standards for the side plows. Fig. 13, is a sectional view on the line l3-13 of Fig. 2. Fig. 14, is asectional view on the line 14:14: of Fig.4. AndFig. 15, is a sectional view on the line 1515 of Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

l teferring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1, indicates a frame which is preferably formed from a. channel bar. This frame U-shaped, as shown, the bar being lent to form a semi-circular forward end, while the extremities of the side mem: hers are connected by a cross bar .2. A seccircular member of the same are as the forsecured in the frame to form with the said forward end a circular track or support 4, within which is rotatably mounted a ring or band 5, which is preferably formed from an angle bar. The horizontal flange of this, ring bears against the under face of the track, and the ring is held within the track by angle 'plates 6, the vertical members of which are secured to the ring, whiletheir the track and slide thereon when the ring" is turned. A channeled brace bar 7, extends diametrically across the ring, its opposite ends being secured thereto, and a second brace 8, is secured to the ring, and is prefer ably formed from a setion of channel bar,

for which is split centrally from each end to 1 within a short distance of its center, and the 11 the guide in which the said bar is adjust-' horizontal members rest upon the top of tion of channel bar 3, is bent to form a semiward end of the frame, and this section is separate portions of the bar are bent in the form shown in Fig. 1, the extremities thereof being riveted'or bolted to the said ring! The brace 7, rests upon the brace 8, and at their intersection a king bolt 9, passes .through them, "and through an axle 10,

upon which are mounted the forward supporting wheels 11. The two braces incline slightly, upward from their point-of intersection to their connection with the ring, and this constructiongives greater rlgidity and affords. greater resistance to the down pressure of the frame.

The axle 10, is

. connected to the ring by chains 12, and to the forward portion of thering are secured eyed bars 13, towhich the usual doubletrees?n'ot shown-are hooked. It will thus be seen. that the ring 5 acts as a fifth wheel,. and that when it is turnedthe axle is also turned. A suitable seat 14, is secured to the brace 7, for the accommodation of a driver.

A cross brace 15, connectsthesides of the frame, rearwardly of the track section 8, and

adj acenttothis brace a depending guide bar 16, is secured to each side of the frame,

which bars extend down to within a short distance of the ground, and are braced by bars 17, which are secured to their lower ends, and to the under side of the frame.

' Upon the bars 16, is mounted an adjustable horizontal "bar. 18, which is preferably formed of two plates,which are riveted together, as shown in ,Fig. 9, leaving free portions adjacent to one side, which are bent to form longitudinal registering channels,

' which together form a ,slideway 19, having a slot 20 throughout its length, which is formed by the edges of the channels. /Vithin the slideway is placed a slidesbar 21, having clevises 22, which extend out through the slot 20, and'are secured to the forward.

. ends of a pair of plow beams 23, which are secured to a plow 24, comprising a plurality, of independent horizontally disposed shares or cutters 25, which are connected by a plate 26, to which the said shares or cutters are rigidly secured, a space being left between each two-shares substantially the width of one of the shares. A-mold' board' 27, is se-' cured upon the shares adjacent to their cutting ends, and extends rearward a suitable distance, and at an upward inclination beside bars of the'frame, as shown in Figs. 2

and 4. Bearings 29 and 30, are secured upon the topof the support 28, adjacent to its ends, and in these bearings is mounted a shaft 31, having a hand wheel 32. Wire ropes 83, or other suitable flexible connections, are attached at one end to the shaft -81, and at their opposite ends to the bar 18, and by turning the hand wheel 32, the

ropes 83 are wound or unwound upon the shaft to raise or lower the bar 18, for a purpose to behereinafter described. The shaft 31, is also provided with a ratchet wheel 84, and a pawl35 is pivotally mounted upon.

the/support 28, in position to engage the said ratchet wheel. A rod'36 is pivotally secured to the free end of the pawl, and its lower end is pivotally attached to one end of a foot lever 37, which-normally exerts adownward pull upon the rod 36-, under the upward pressure of a spring 38 beneath the free end of said lever. The down pull upon the rod 86, holds the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel 34, whereby rotationof the shaft 31 to unwind the ropes 38 is prevented, and the bar 18 ,lS illGI'GfOI'G held at the elevation to which it/"hasbeen raised; but by depressing the. free end of the foot lever, the pawlis operated to release the said ratchet wheel, as will be understood by reference to Fi s. 2 and 4. The foot lever 37, is supported in brackets, which are secured 'to a platform 37 which rests upon the top of the main frame. I

Horizontally-disposed sheave wheels 89 and 40,,are mounted respectively near the opposite ends of the bar 18, and a suitable flexible connect-ion, preferably a chain 41,.

is passed-around them, and the free ends of said chain are connected to eye bolts 42, in

the forward ends of the plow beams 23. A

shaft 13, is keyed to the sheave wheel 40,

and passes up through the support 28, and

a bevel gear 44:, is mounted upon its upper end so as to rest upon the support 28. Thisgear is provided with a feather key 45, which enters a groove 46 in the upper portion of the shaft, and when the bar 18- is raised, the shaft slides through the gear, and through a -horizontal member 47 of the bearing 30, which extends over the gear and prevents it from being raised with the shaft.

A'support 48, similar to the support 28, is

secured to the main frame in position to extend above therear ends'of the plow beams, but the vertical standards vof this support are longer than those of the support 28, and

extend down approximately half way 'between the sides of the main frame and the ground level, and the portions of the stand ards which extend below the frame form guideways 49, th'e edgcs of the channel bars of which they are constructed being introverted'or turned toward each other for that.

purpose, as clearly shown by Fig. 11. .Within the guideways are placed guide blocks 56,

which are connected by a bar 51, to which" the rear'ends of the plow beams are'connected by means oflirlrs 52. 58, are connected to th bar 51, and extend Wire ropes up through the support 48, and are attached to a shaft 54, which is mounted in bearings 55 and 56, secured upon the top of the support 48. This shaft is provided with a hand wheel 57, and a ratchet wheel 58, which is engaged by a pawl 59, operated by a rod (30, and foot lever 61, all of which are similar in operation and construction to the corresponding mechanism described in connection with the shaft 31.

Upon the guide" blocks 50, are mounted sheave wheels 62 and 63 respectively, around which a chain 64 is passed, the free ends of which are attachedto' the links 52, which connect the plow beams with the bar 51. The S1 cave wheel 63 is provided with a feathe key 65, which projects-into a groove (36, in the lower portion of a shaft 67, which extends up through the support i8, and has a bevel gear 68, keyed uponits upper end, and which rests upon the support t-S. \Vhen the bar 51 is raised to elevate the rear end of the plow 24, the sheave wheel 63 slides upon' the shaft 67, and the shaft is held against upward movement by the bearing 56, which extends over the gear wheel (58. \V hen the shafts 43 and 67 are rotated. the sheave wheels 40 and 63 operate the chains 4-1 and 64, respectively, and the plow. together with a conveyer, to be hereinafter described, is moved laterally in either direc tion, and the rotation of these shafts is accomplished in the following manner:

Upon each side of the rear portion of the main frame is secured a T-har (35), which bars incline up from the frame, as shown in Fig. 2, and terminate in portions which are approximately in a horizontal plane, and which extend beyond the rear end ,of the main frame. The endsof the bars (39, which extend beyond the main frame, are each supported by a pair of parallel uprights 70, which connect them with the end bar 2, of the main frame, and by similar uprights 71, which connect them with angle plates 72. secured t0 the said lHtl. 2, and which are also connectedby a bar 72. Upon the rear portions of the T-bars 3!), are secured slides 73, upon which are mounted niov able shaft bearings 74, in which is mounted a shaft 75, and upon the bearings 7t are bolted a pair of supporting beams 76, which extcnd'from one bearing to the other in parallel order, a space of suitable width being left between them. Between these beams at one end, is journaled a sheave wheel 77, and at the opposite end a sprocket wheel 78 is mounted on the end of a shaft 7 9, which is journ'aled in the beams 76, and in the bearing 56 on the support 18, and also in a bearing 30 on the portion t7 of the bearing 30, but it does not extend far enough through this latter bearing to obstruct the upward movement of the shaft 4?. Bevel. pinions 80 and 81, are secured upon this shaft, which mesh respectively with the gears 44 and 68,. and the shaft is provided with ahand wheel 82, for turning the same.

A sprocket chain 83 is passed around the wheels 77 and 78, and is supported between the wheels upon rollers 83 The free ends of this chain are attached to the opposite sides of a conveyer-supporting frame 84:, comprising side bars 85, which are provided with slots 85', at their forward ends, by which they are connected to a rod 86, which uniteslthe rear ends of the plow beams, while their opposite ends are supported upon the shaft 7 5, which is journaled in the movable bearings 74:. The side bars 85 are connected at intervals by brace rods 87, which pass through spacing sleeves 87 and incline from their forward ends at an angle of substantially sixty degrees.

A roller 88, is journaled between the forward ends of the bars 85. inposition to lie beneath the mold board. 27 of the plow 24, and a roller 89 is secured. upon the shaft '75, between the rear or upper ends of the said bars, and a suitable endless conveyor belt 90 is supported upon these rollers, and is adapted to receive the excavated earth, from the said plow. The roller 89 is secured to the shaft 75 by a featherkey 75 so as to slide thereon and turn therewith. When the shaft 79 is turned, the bevel pinions 80 and 81, meshing with the bevel gears 44- and 68 respectively, turn the shafts 43 and 67 respectively, with their sheave Wheels 40 and respectively, by which the chains 41 and (it are drawn upon to move the plow 24 with the forward end of the co'nveyer frame S t laterally in either direction, while at the same time the sprocket wheel 78, on the rear end of the shaft 7 9, operates the chain 83, to move the rear end of the conveyor frame. Thus by turning the hand wheel 82 on the shaft 78, the plow and conveyer are shifted simultaneously either to the right or left.

The rear end of the main frame of the ditcher, is mounted upon wheels 91, which revolve upon independent stub axles 92, journaled in bearings upon the main frame, and upon bars 93, which are secured to the said frame, each wheel lying between one of said bars, and the adjacent side of the frame, as clearly shown by Fig. l.

A ratchet wheel 94, having forwardlyset teeth, is mounted on each stub axle 92,-

and suitably secured to the adjace t traction wheel 9h- The ratchetwheels have outwardly extending hubs 95, upon which are revolubly mounted sprocket Wheels 96, which are recessed so as to inclose the ratchet wheels, as shown in Figs. 6 and .7. sprocket wheels 96 carry spring-actuated pawls97, which are adapted to be engaged by the teeth of the ratchet wheels 94, when the machine is moved forward, whereby-the said sprocketwheels are revolved with the The - connected by ratchet wheels, while the ratchet wheels escape the pawls on the reverse movement of The sprocket wheels 96 are chains 98, with smaller sprocket wheels 99, on a shaft 100, which passesthrough the T-bars 69 and through openings in the side bars 85 of the conveyer frame. Gear wheels 101 are secured upon the outer ends of this: shaft, which mesh with gears 102, on the outer ends of the conveyor-operating shaft 75. The shaft 100 is also provided with a sprocket wheel 103, connected by a chain 104% with a sprocket wheel 105. on a shaft 106, which is slidably mounted in bearings 107 on the main frame. This shaft also carries bevel gear wheels 108 and 109, whichare adapted to mesh singly with a bevel gear 110 mounted on a shaft 111, which is supported in bearings 112 and 113 secured respectively upon the beam 2 and the bar 72 as shown in Fig. 2. 'he shaft 111 carries at its rear end a sprocket wheel 114;, which engages the under half of a sprocket chain 115, which is mounted upon sprocket wheels 116 at opposite the machine.

ends of a laterally-movable conveyor supporting frame 117, the chain being supported at intervals upon rollers 115*. This frame comprises parallel side bars 118, each of which is provided with a slot 119, which extends from nearits outer ends to within a short distance of its center. -mse bars are positioned a suitable distance apart, and

are supported upon arms 120, each of wluch has a reduced forward end which is threaded, and which 15 passed between i a pair of the uprights 70, plates 121 being placed upon the reduced portions of the arms on each side of the uprights, which plates are clamped to the opposite edges of the uprights by nuts 122, so as to hold the arms securely in place. The rear ends of the arms, which are also threaded, pass between pairs of the uprights 71, and receive plates 123, which are clamped upon the rear edges of the said uprights, as willbefully understood by reference to Fig. 13.

The sprocket whels 116,are mounted on shafts 124, which are journaled in the side bars 118, and upon these shafts are secured rollers 125.v which support'an endless belt 126, and this belt lies directly below the upper end of the inclined belt 90, so as to receive the earth as it falls from said belt.

The conveyor frame 117 can be'shifted to discharge upon either side of the ditch, and when shifted to the' left'as one looks forward-the shaft 106 is shifted to the right, by any suitable shifting device, such as a lever 127, which is pivoted to the beam 2, one end of which lever is adapted to engage a grooved coll'ar 128, secured upon said shaft. When the shaft is thus shifted,

. the hevel gear 108 meshes with thebevel.

the sprocket wheel 114 on the end of the shaft, are turned in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 3, whereby the belt 126 is caused to discharge upon the left side of the ditch. When the shaft 106 is shifted to bring the bevel gear 109 into mesh with the bevel gear 110, the said belt discharges upon the right side of the ditch Upon opposite sides of the frame, and between the supports 28 and 18, are secured standards or brackets 129, comprising supvertieal alinenient with guide plates 131, secured to the inner sides of the frame. The

in which are mounted short shafts 133, hav ing gear wheels 13 1, and crank handles 135. Vertical standards 136 are supported in the guide plates 131, and the slots 130, and are provided on their inner sides with gear teeth 137, which mesh with the gear wheels 13%, so that by turning the crank handles 135, the said standards may he raised or lowered.

The lower ends of the standards carry plows 138, of ordinary construction, which are set to throw the plowed earth inward, or toward each other. lVhen the plow 2 1- is in operation, the plows 138, which are in advance of the rear supporting wheels, are held up out of contact with theground in any suitable manner, as by pins 139, which are passed through holes in the standards 136, and rest upon the top of the main frame; but when the plow 24: has cut to its full depth. all the ground within the limits of its lateral travel, it is elevated above the ground level, by the ropes 38 and 53, and the plows 138 are lowered into operative position, and as these plows are in front of the rear supporting wheels, the earth removed by them,

cut by the said plows, and these plows throw the earth toward the center .of the excavation, where it can be removed'by lowering the plow 24, in position-to gather it up and discharge .it upon the conveyer 90, which delivers it to the conveyer 126, by which it is discharged upon one side of the ditch. If desired, however, the plows 138 may first be operated, and afterward the plow 24', but in either case a ditch is formed which is equal in width to the full width of the machine. When the plow 24 is at the ground level or in any position between that and its lowest veyer shaft 7 5, are in mesh with the driving gears 101 and the conveyer 90 is thereby 0pfar enough above the ground to permit the machine to be transported from place to place, the rod 86, which connects the plow beams, engages the-rear ends of the slots in the side bars 85, and the said bars are l pushed rearward, causing the bearing 74 of portinglegs, and horizontal portions, pro need with guldeway slots 130, Which are in erated; but'when the said plow is elevated v a-Hows the rear wheels to drop to the level 30 brackets are also provided with bearings 132,

position, the gearwheels 102, on the' con-" all out of operative position, and that it is I in desired to excavate the central part of the ditch first, the foot levers 37 and 61 are depressed to disengage the pawls 35 and 59 from the ratchet wheels 34: and 58 respectively, and the plow 24 drops by gravity to the ground, and by turning the hand wheel I 82, the shaft 79 with the bevel gear wheels 80, 81 and sprocket wheels 78, is turned, and the plow 24 and conveyer frame 84 are shifted to one side or the other of the frame; the gears 80 and 81 operating the gears 44 and 68 respectively, which turn the shafts 43 and 67 res ectively, carrying the sheave wheels 40 an 63 respectively, which operate the chains 41 and 64, attached to the plow, while simultaneously with the movement of the plow. the sprocketwheel 7 8 turns the chain 83, which moves the rear end of the conveyer frame 84, carrying the conveyer 90. When the central part of the ditch has been excavated, the plow 2 is elevated above the ground by turning the hand wheels 32 and 57, which turn the shafts 31 and 5% respectively, which carry the ropes 33 and 53 respectively, which are attached to the bars 18 and 51 respectively. As the bar 18 rises, it is held and guided by the vertical guide bars 16, and the shaft 43 slides through the bevel gear 4:4, which is held down by the horizontal portion of the bearing 30; and as the bar 51' rises, the blocks upon its ends are held and guided in the guideways 49, the shafi 67 remaining stationary, while the sheave wheel 63. slides upon it. The pins 139, whiph hold up the side plows 138, are then removed, and these plows drop by gravity and'remove the. earth in line with the rear supporting wheels, thus forming a ditch the full width of the machine, and the earth removed by these plows is gathered up by the plow 2a, which is again lowered for that purpose, and falls upon the conveyor 90, which deposits it upon the conveyer 126,

' whence it is deposited upon one or the other side of the ditch according to the position of the conveyor frame 117.

'lhisniacliine is much lighter than machines of this-character in general use; is

, easily operated, and with the arrangement of plows, a ditch of the full or greater width than the machine, and of any practical depth, may be excavated.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a ditching machine, the combination with a frame mounted. on front and rear wheels, of horizontally disposed vertically adjustable bars mounted on said frame; a plow connected at its opposite ends to said bars; an inclined conveyer secured at its lower end to said plow in position to receive earth therefrom; means for adjusting said plow laterally upon said bars and said inclined conveyer simultaneously therewith; a laterally adjustable horizontally disposed conveyer on said frame adapted to receive the discharge from the inclined conveyer;

means for changing the direction of travel of said horizontally disposed conveyer; and vertically adjustable vplows on said frame in front of said rear wheels, having their mold boards facing ealih other.

2. In a ditching machine, the combination with a frame mounted on front and rear wheels, of horizontally disposed vertically adjustable bars mounted on said'frame, the forward bar having a longitudinal guideway formed on its rear edge; a slide in said guideway; a plow connected at its forward end to said slide, and means for connecting the rear end of said plow in sliding engagement with the rear bar; means for effecting the lateral. adjustment of said plow; means for receiving excavated earth from said plow and for conveying the same beyond either side of the ditch; and vertically adjustable plows on said frame in line with the rear wheels, having their mold boards facing I each other.

plow and convey it beyond either side of the machine; plows onthe side of said frame in front of the rear wheels thereof; and means for raising said plows to an inoperative position.

4. In a ditching machine, the combination with a wheeled frame, having transverse supports, of shafts mounted upon said supports; flexible connections secured at their upper ends to said shafts' a plow supported at its front and rear ends by said connections; means for turning said shafts to wind said connections thereon; means for preventing backward rotation of said shafts; an inclined conveyer secured to said plow so as to receive the excavated earth therefrom; means for effecting the lateral adjustment of said plow and conveyer simultaneously;

said ratchet wheels; means for operating said pawls; flexible connections attached to said shafts; bar's supported by. 'saidc'onnections, one of which has a slideway thereon; a slide in said slideway; a plow attached at its forward end to said slide; links connecting the rear end of the plow in sliding engagement with the other bar; vertical guideways for said bars; a conveyer in operative engagement with the'plow; means for 'efi'ect -ing the lateralrmovementbf said plow and conveyer simultaneously; a conveyeradapted to receive. the dischargef'rom the first conveyer and deposit it beyond either side of the machine; ineans for operating said conveyers; and vertically adjustable plows upon the sides of theframe which cooperate with the first plow.

6. In a ditching machine, the combination with aframe mounted on'forward and rear wheels; of a plow adapted to operate-be tween the sides of said frame; an inclined conveyer in operative engagement at its lowerend with said plow ashaft extending through the rear end of-the conveyer and mounted on said frame; a support above the rear vend of the cogiveyer; wheels at opposite ends of the support-and a chain which passes over said wheels and is secured at its ends to the oppositesides of said 0011-.

veyer; depending guides on'op'posite-sides of the frame in line with the front end of the plow a bar in slid'ing engagement with said guides, having 'a longitudinal slideway; a slide in said slideway connected with the front end of the plow, and meansjforrais:

ing and lowering sa'idbar; sheave avheels at opposite ends of said bar a chain connected at its ends to the forward end of the plow and passing around'said sheave. wheels; a" 'barabove the rear en'dfof the plowg-d'epend3 ingjgnides on'opposite sides of the frain'q. in which the ends of said bar are mounted, and means for raising and lowering said bar; sheave" wheels at .opposite ends of the bar a chain extending around said wheels and connected to the rear end of said plow; l nks connecting the rear-- endof' the plow in sliding engagement ,withTthe said bar;

andmeans for operating the chains connected td-t'he plow andthe chain connected to the rear end of the conveyor simultaneously {for effecting the lateral movement of said plow and conveyor.

. In a ditching machine, the com ination wheels.

with a frame mounted on front rear vwheels; a plow laterally and Vertically ad- 'justable upon the frame; and aninchned co'nveyer operatively connected Jat its lower end to said ploW'and-adapted tomove there- 7a with; of horizontal arms supportedat the rear end of theframe; parailelside bars having slots through which said'ari ns pass; rollers mounted between 1 the opposite. ends of the sidebars; and anen'dles's'jbelt sup- 7& ported upon said rolle'rs'inposition to"re1 ceive the discharge from'the inclined C011": veyer; andisprocket wheels on the ends'of' the roller shafts and an: endless;chaincon-- nec ting said sprocket whels'.- v Q ,8. In a ditching machine, the combinationwith a frame supported upon front and-rear wheels; a laterally and vertically adjustable plow supported on said frame; movable hearings on the rear end'of the frame ;"ya;

shaft mounted in said bearings, having gear wheels upon its opposite ends, and a conveyer mounted at its. rear end upon the shaft and connected atits forward end to said plow in position to receive earth therefrom; of means for operating said conveyenl' comprising driving sprocket wheels con nected to the rearframe supporting wheels; a shaft parallel with 'theconvey-er. shaftn; having sprocket wheels thereon and gears adapted to n h with the gears on the con-w veyer shaft; and chains connecting said sprocket wheels with the driving sprocket;

9. In a ditching machine, the combination with a frame mounted upon front'and rear supporting wheels;'vertical guides de-f pending from'said' frame bars supported upon said guides; aplow in sliding engagement with said bars; a "'convey'er connected 9 1 at its lower end to said plow and a shaft tending through the'npper' ended the c.on veyer and journalcd inbearings upon the frame; of means for movingthe plow and. conveyer laterally and. simultaneously, coin prising a horizontally disposed shaft'n ounted at its forward end in bearings, supported. above and on one side of the frame in line with the said bars, and at its rear end in 1 parallel supports which extend over the rear end of. the conveyer vertical shafts extend- .ing from said -'bars throi'ig-h the forward bearings of the horizontally disposed-shaft; "bevel gears on the iipperends of said ver-l tical shafts; bevel gears on s'a'idhorizontal shaft in ,mesh with those on the vertical shafts; sh'earewheels on "the lower ends of said vertical shafts. and "restingjupon said bars; sheave wheels at; the opposite ends of said bars; chainswhieh pass-'ar'oundsaid sheave wheels and connect respeetively with" the front andrear'endjof th plow; a sprocket:- whecl upon thefrear' end oi? the horizontal shaft between the saidipa'ralle'l supports; a'wheel at the opposite-ends said supports; and a chain which is passed around said wheels and connected at its ends to the adjacent sides of the conveyer, and a hand wheel on the horizontal shaft.

10. In a ditching machine, the combina-.

tion with a Wheeled frame; movable bearings on said frame; and a shaft mounted in said bearings, having gear wheels at its op-.

posite ends; of a laterally and vertically adjustable plow supported in said frame; a conveyer connected at one end to the plow and at its opposite end to said shaft; and a power-driven shaft having gear wheels at its ends adapted to mesh with those on the conveyor shaft, the bearings of said conveyer shaft being moved when the plow is raised, whereby the gears on the end of said shaft are thrown out'of mesh with those on the power-driven shaft.

11. In aditching machine, the combination with a wheeled frame having guides thereon, of bearings having a sliding movement on said guides; a shaft mounted in said bearings; a plow supported in said frame and means for raising and lowering said plow; parallel side bars pivotally attached at one end to said plow and mounted at the other upon the said shaft; a roller mounted between the forward ends of said bars; a roller mounted between the rear ends of said bars upon said shaft so as to slide thereon but rotate therewith; an endless belt onv said rollers; a power-driven shaft having gearsuponits ends in mesh with the gears on the conveyer-supporting shaft, and means for effecting the lateral movement of said plow and'conveyer simultaneously, the raising of the plow with the forward end of the conveyer-causing the movable hearings to slide upon their guides,

whereby the gears on the conveyer supporting shaft are disengaged from those on the power driven shaft.

12. In a ditching machine, the combination with a framemounted on wheels, and movable bearings thereon; of a shaft mounted in said bearings having gear wheels upon 1ts ends; a plow; a mold board secured to and the shaft; a driving shaft having gears which mesh with the gears on. the conveyer supporting shaft, and means connected with the frame wheels for operating said shaft; and means for raising the plow and forward end of the conveyer, whereby the eonveyer shaft is thrown outof operation.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN LoUIs omission".

Witnesses G. Simona")? ELLIOTT, Anemia M. Fownn. 

